Ally
Childminder in St Werburghs
Usually responds within 2 days
Female Member since Jan 2021 Last Updated Dec 2024 Last Login 17 Dec 2024
My Summary
About Me
*2025 waiting list closed*
I am a primary school teacher with 10 years' experience and Mum to a little one (and one on the way). I run the 'Mini Minas' childcare setting from my home in St Werburghs, next to Mina Road Park. My parenting and childcare philosophy is influenced by Montessori with responsive and gentle approaches. I am passionate about the early years as they provide the foundation for future cognitive, physical, emotional and social development. Following Maria Montessori's whole child approach and providing child-led play opportunities enable each child to develop their own interests and age-appropriate independence is encouraged. Having specialised in early reading and writing, I champion the development of good speech and language skills in the early years and support communication using Makaton signs.
I live in the friendly community of St Werburgh's with my husband (also a primary teacher) and our daughter. My setting is a home-from-home environment where children can play freely both inside and outside (come rain or shine!). I provide a wide range of experiences for children both within my home and outside in the local community; we are spoilt with the city farm, several play parks and nearby stay-and-play sessions.
I provide a kind and caring environment where you can be assured your little one will be well looked after as an extension of my own little family. My extensive experience working alongside parents means I can offer a supportive, collaborative and open relationship whether you are returning to work or changing childcare settings. You will be communicated with daily via a Parent App which will be used to share photos, record a care diary and track your child's developmental progress against the Early Years framework.
My Experience
10 years' experience as a primary school teacher across the age range (in both UK and international schools) and mum to one little one at home.
My Qualifications
PGCE in Primary Education, qualified childminder, paediatric first aid certificate, child protection training, speech and language training (including Makaton) and ongoing professional development.
My Availability
Term time only, Monday to Wednesday, 7:30am-5:30pm.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 23/11/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.60 per hour
Private funded day rate (7:30am-5:30pm) = £86. Government funded hours available (please enquire for more information).
My Local Schools
This childminder has not yet informed us whether or not they provide any drop off or pick up services at local schools.
My Documents
- DBS Check (added 23/02/2024)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 24/03/2022)
- Training Certificate: Childminder Training Certificate Feb 2021 (added 21/02/2022)
- First Aid Certificate: Paediatric First Aid Certificate Feb 2022 (added 21/02/2022)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Ally. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
Having my son be apart of Mini Mina’s is a privilege, Ally’s childcare is beyond exceptional. She is a version of what every mother aspires to be when they set out on their journey to parenting.
My son started with Ally when he was 16months old, I was struggling to get my head around the idea of him going anywhere but with Ally it felt like a home from home, her whole ethos and gentle approach to parenting is exactly why we chose Ally.
She never fails to update us during the day, I love seeing what he’s been up to and if there are any concerns, she is brilliant at letting us know.
One of my favourite things about Mini Minas is how each day he is learning something new, doing a different activity, learning new skills and developing his brain. It truly feels as though he is gaining an education from such a young age, each time I pick him up he has something new to say or a particular skill has developed further. It’s amazing!
Plus he comes home with a smile on his face every time and has lots to share with me about his Mini Mina friends.
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We were recommended Ally by friends, it couldn't have been a better choice. From the outset she made me, and my daughter, feel comfortable and at ease. I don't think we've had one crying drop off - she's always excited to go and almost runs through the door (now she can.) My daughter feels safe and always looks happy in the photos we relieve during our childcare days. We're so sad to have to leave her due to maternity but so happy our standard of care hasn't changed since Ally got pregnant. It’s clear that Ally has so much energy, passion and commitment towards the children in her care. Ally has educated, entertained and empowered our daughter, she will be so missed!! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with her if you can bag a place on her childminding once she returns from mat leave-you will not be disappointed.
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We feel so lucky that Ally looked after our son. She is a wonderful childminder and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her, any child would be lucky to be looked after by her. Ally has a lovely home that she makes so welcoming for the children and our son was very happy in her care. Ally not only has fab planned activities at home for the children but she also takes them out at least once per day to various local classes, playgroups and the library. Our child was really nurtured by Ally and blossomed in her care. We are really sad to be moving on from her!
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I was so lucky for our son to be an original Mini Mina, looked after so amazingly by Ally. He was 7mths old at the time of starting and went straight into full days. This was an anxiety inducing time as a first time mum but we could not have had more wonderful care.
Ally took time to get to know our LOs personality so that his care was individualised, whilst helping him grow and develop. She took time to learn what we were doing at home so his naps and meals also suited our home life. Really importantly to me she was able to facilitate my LO having expressed breast milk so I could continue my feeding journey despite returning to work.
I always had appropriate updates about what he had been doing, what he’d eaten, how many nappies he had and what he had drunk. I was also delighted to see what activities they’d been doing - trips out to the park and library for example. Ally has an abundance of energy and her years of experience in primary school absolutely shows through.
I cannot recommend Ally and Mini Minas highly enough. We sadly had to say goodbye as we live outside of Bristol and my work relocated. Had that not been the case, she would never have been able to get rid of us! I’m yet to find a childminder or care facility that comes close to the standard of care we had here.
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